Almawt Virus Series (Book 3): Days Since...Jenny [Day 986]

by Wilson, Robert

  Jenny looked too. The erratic strangers were long gone, not even the truck's tail lights were visible. “Still can't tell what they were shooting at,” she said. A window across the street appeared to be the only casualty from the strangers' assault on the neighborhood. “By the look of things, probably nothing.”

  Danny let out a weak chuckle. “Never could fix stupid.”

  “Whether they were shooting for the hell of it or not, we're lucky,” Matt said, coming shoulder to shoulder with Jenny at the window after Danny had walked off. “A couple extra minutes in that house down the street and we would’ve been caught out in the open with those maniacs. There's no telling how that would've gone.”

  “Not good,” Danny said, seemingly bewildered by the naive statement. “We're not invincible. That's why we train. That's why we take everything seriously. You never know what's around the next corner. With those guys, they wouldn’t have asked any questions. Nothing! They would've gunned us down in the street as soon as they saw us. Not a doubt in my mind.”

  “You're right...” Matt agreed before wrapping his hand around Jenny's and whispering to her, “Nothing's going to happen to you. We'll make sure of it.”

  Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against his shoulder, her veins still flooded with adrenaline, her breathing still rushed. Thanks. Although she wouldn't allow it to seep through, an apology bubbled toward the surface. Only hours ago, she had chided him for being overprotective. Unselfishly, he took to her, guarded her without thinking of himself. How close had they come to death? Merely feeling him beside her meant everything in that moment. “I knew you had it in you,” Jenny murmured. “See? You're good at this.”

  He smiled.

  “Alright you two,” Danny said, his back hunched, gripping the far end of the living room couch, waiting. “Enough of that. Get over here, lover boy, and help me with this thing.”

  Matt gave her hand a parting squeeze before taking the opposite end of the couch.

  Jenny remained at the window. Even though the vision of the Second Alliance had passed, a feeling of dread now lingered. If it had been them, what... what would that mean? Deep down, I know they're still looking for us. But would they come all the way up here to do it?

  From behind her came a—“1 ... 2 ... 3”—followed by a collective grunt. Jenny peeled her eyes from the window to watch them carry the couch to the front door, doing what they could to secure their camp for the night. Apparently satisfied, Danny dusted the remaining snow from his pants and stomped out his boots.

  “Man, Danny, you kicked that door in like it was nothing!” Matt said, running his hand along the fractured jamb—the deadbolt busted, protruding from the wood. “Aren't those supposed to be pretty tough?”

  “Just have to hit the sweet spot.”

  “When we get a chance, you'll have to teach me. I'd like to—”

  “Danny...” Jenny backed from the window, intruding on their conversation. “I...” She started again, but had difficulty forming her thoughts. Grant had made them swear not to reveal too much of their past. Friends came and went. Trust was hard to come by. The knowledge that they might possibly be wanted by an organization as large as the Second Alliance seemed too dangerous to share with anyone. It could be used against them if the situation dictated it.

  Be careful with what you say. “Awhile ago we saw this group of people. Me and Matt and Grant did. They wore all black, organized, like an army or something, but—” She stopped. Just ask him if he knows. Keep it simple. “Have you seen them? A group in black up this way?”

  “We're the biggest group in this area, sorry to disappoint you if you're looking to trade up.”

  “You know that's not why I'm asking.”

  “I don't.” He lowered an eyebrow. “Why do you want to know? What'd they do to you?”

  Jenny simply stared at him.

  “Or... is it that you guys did something to them?”

  Danny looked to Matt, but he offered up even less than she did on the topic.

  “Okay.” He wiped from the corners of his mouth. “I get it. Obviously, there are things that we don't share. Things we keep bottled up. But I can't help you if you don't open up. No one can.”

  “We don't need your help with them. We just need to know they aren't up here.”

  “They aren't. You don't need to worry about it.” Danny traipsed over to a recliner and plonked down—Sherman close behind, taking to the floor beside him. Both Jenny’s and Matt's eyes were still locked on Danny. Still searching for certainty in his answer. “I'm serious. I'm not the one trying to hide anything about your soldiers in black.”

  “Why'd you say it like that?” Jenny took offense. “You don't tell us everything. You barely talk about your police work. I know practically nothing about your family. Never even seen a picture of them.”

  “We don't need to tell everything, right Jenny?” Grinning, he closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. “Not sure you'll ever know,” he teased.

  “You'll tell me someday.”

  “Not today.”

  “What would it take?”

  “Take the hint,” Matt whispered. “Let him sleep for a bit. We’ll keep watch.” He tapped the grip of the pistol resting in its holster and strutted over to the bay window.

  “No offense, but it'll take a bit more than your mighty pistol there.” She eyed Danny's rifle leaning against the recliner's arm. “Danny, let me take your rifle.”

  “No.”

  “Seriously? What good is it sitting there?”

  “It'll wake up when I do.” He couldn't help but let a tiny snicker loose. “That's what taking watch is. It's simple. You watch. Something happens. You wake the others. If not, you just sit there until your turn's up.”

  “Why the hell do we train if you aren't gonna give us the chance to use it?”

  Jenny saw his mouth curl into a smile, but he said nothing. Danny knew it drove her crazy to stop mid-conversation. She knew he liked to do that—to tease. You're just like my dad. But it wasn't just his teasing or his little quirks that revived the memories of her father. It was everything. The brown hair. The hazel eyes. Even their build was similar, though Danny was slightly taller. But what brought it all together was the laugh. That's why she gravitated toward him almost immediately. When she could break through Danny's toughness and get him to laugh, she could be with her dad again. Even if for only a few bits of laughter.

  “Quit looking at me.” Danny shook the blanket loose from the back of the recliner, shifted to his side, and pulled the blanket across himself. “Doesn’t take both of you to keep watch,” he yawned. “Sounds like Matt volunteered to go first. I’ll take second watch. Jenny, if we need you, then you can have third. We leave in the morning.”

  “I’ll take second watch.” She looked to Danny, her face serious, unwavering, but Danny had buried himself in the recliner unable to see her determination. “I’ll take second watch!”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Dan—”

  “Go rest!” He tossed onto his other side. “Or do something else. I don’t care.”

  “Hey Matt, why don't you let me—”

  “Don't even try it, Jenny,” Danny groaned from underneath the blanket.

  It’s never personal with him. “You need anything before I head off to the back?” Jenny gave Matt a peck on the cheek.

  “No, I’m good.” His gaze returned to the street, but she remained at his ear.

  “Let him sleep. Wake me up for second watch,” she whispered. Matt snapped his attention back toward her. “Please...”

  “You know I can't do that.” His voice was torn. “The last thing I want to do is piss him off. You know neither of us want that.”

  She dropped her eyes, disappointed. “I know... At some point he needs to let go of some things.”

  “It's gotten better.”

  “True...” But not fast enough. “Just think on it.”

  Cautiously, Jenny padded down the hallway
to the back of the house. I know Danny cleared it, but vigilance equals survival. Keep it on your mind. Nothing wrong with staying in that mindset.

  Only four doors lined the hall, and she opened each one, holding her arms up and out as if she were holding a rifle. She pied off each room—systematic, efficient in the manner Danny had taught her. Although she felt slightly foolish, if Danny wouldn't provide the opportunity for training, she'd have to create her own. She cleared an office, a small bedroom, and a bathroom. One left, the master bedroom, last door on the right.

  It appeared unspoiled like the rest of the house. The bed was tucked in. A laundry basket toward its edge—stacks of folded clothing. Over the closet door, a woman's lace nightgown hung. She couldn't resist running her fingers down its front. Satin. Someone had something planned. Then she remembered. Shit! In the excitement of earlier, she had forgotten the one thing she personally required from this endeavor.

  Jenny took to the bathroom as she had in the house before. Peering around the corner, a draft of air chilled her face. Clack. Clack. Clack. Above the toilet, a set of blinds drawn closed smacked against an open window. She jerked it shut and adjusted the blinds to allow more light into the room before turning toward the mirrored vanity. A scented candle tin sat on top. She opened it, and inside was a book of matches she used to light the wick.

  She searched through the vanity, the medicine cabinet, the linen closet, taking the improvised torch with her. Things she may have set aside to keep were tossed about, ignored. Only one thing on her mind, but again, no such luck.

  Finished with the search, she practically slammed the candle against the vanity's marble top in frustration. Gripping the counter’s edge, she fumed at her reflection in the mirror. How the hell is it none of these women have any? I thought everyone kept these close by. She took a deep breath. Take a step back, Jenny. You don't have to know right now. There's still time.

  Jenny slipped the knit cap from her head and undid her hair bun. She leaned forward, examining the bags under her eyes. I look old. How the hell did this happen? Dirt under her fingernails. Face splotched with grime. When's the last time you took a bath? Baby wipes don't count. A tear ran down her cheek. Neither do tears. She took her knit cap across her face. How are you going to take care of anyone else? Why'd you do this to me? Asshole! She broke down. Gasping between breaths and tears, she began ripping through the lower cabinets again. I just know it's got to be here! How the hell is it so hard to find?! Come on!

  A loud crash came from the front of the house. She froze, but eventually tiptoed back through the master bedroom, wiping the tears from her face, trying to get her breathing under control in case one of her companions was coming to check on her. Carefully, she drew the door inward only an inch or two. Through the gap, a tirade of cursing came from the living room—Danny laying into Matt. She bent her head through door, looking down the hallway toward the commotion. Her breaths continued to flutter—her nerves still worked up. I’ll let that go. She closed the door and flipped the lock. Get it together, damn it!

  Pressing her back to the wall, she absorbed the room, every detail, picturing those that lived here before—the dad at the bed folding laundry—the wife toweling herself dry after a hot shower, about to drape herself in the seductive nightgown—then, one of the kids pounding on the door, trying to escape the other from down the hall. Family... A concept that had forever changed. Evolved into something different, but just as important as before. To her, those details mattered. They calmed her, refreshed her memories, taking her back to life before Almawt. She knew it wasn't real, but the idea, the hope that someday what she imagined could once again become commonplace, drove her to continue. Someday everything will be better. The tears stopped. Her breathing steadied. You're right. It will. You got this.

  Jenny dropped the blinds and pulled the curtains to the bedroom windows. It darkened the room considerably, making sleep that much more enticing. But before dragging herself into bed, she made sure to grab the candle from the bathroom. Its small flame flickered against her face as she lay there, tossing. The outburst from Danny and Matt had dulled to a low grumble but remained loud enough to keep her from sleep. Come on! I thought Danny was tired. This is ridiculous.

  Unable to sleep, she stacked the pillows against the headboard and shifted into a seated position. “This sucks,” she groaned. Looking for anything to occupy her time, she pulled open the drawer to the nightstand. A few books neatly arranged inside. She sorted through them a bit, finding one that piqued her interest—a diary. Should I? Well, you are already laying in their bed. And, they do say people who write diaries secretly want them read anyways. She broke the locked clasp to the book and flipped toward the back.

  December 19, 2014

  The Christmas party was amazing, and the kids really seemed to have a good time at their Nana’s. I'm not sure what she does with them, but they always come home worn out. It makes it so much easier putting them to bed after a long night of schmoozing with Tony's co-workers. And yes, his creepy boss, too.

  Of course, Tony was employee of the year again. He always is. Those speeches he gives are getting better, and at least this year he remembered to mention me and the kids. That pissed me off so much last year. I nearly didn't speak to him for a week. But anyways, the bonus will help wrap up the Christmas shopping, and the kids will once again get more than they need.

  I’m really proud of Tony, but at some point, I'm afraid it's going to wear off. I gave up work to take care of the kids. Don't get me wrong. I love them, but they're getting older and don't take up nearly the time they used to. I'm ready for more. It's time for Tony to hold up his end of the deal, but he’s so wrapped up in his work. I get it, we need his job, but there’s more to life.

  He keeps telling me we’re going to have another one. I don’t think I believe him anymore. First, it was my birthday, now it’s New Year’s, and we start trying again for our little girl. We’ve agreed I’ll come off the pill then. I'm thinking about doing it now. Our little secret, okay?

  She skipped a few entries.

  December 24, 2014

  The kids are so excited about Christmas morning. All the presents are out. Tony nearly went hoarse yelling at the boys, because they kept trying to peak at their gifts. It's so funny sometimes to see him get flustered over the smallest things. We decided it was best to put the kids to bed, so he wouldn't have a heart attack.

  I’m pretty sure they’re asleep now, so while I lay here, I can tell Tony is getting ready for something special tonight. He only shaves before bed when he’s going to try and put the moves on thick. He knows I want a baby. He wouldn’t have to try so hard if I was getting what I want out of it too. Not that I don’t like the sex, but… I don’t want to seem that way. I’m getting older, and I don’t want to think that my chance—

  Jenny flipped a few pages further into the diary.

  January 2, 2015

  I could kill him. Seriously, I don’t know why the hell he thinks he can just keep getting away with this. Now, he’s saying once the kids are out of school for the summer. No, that’s not going to do it. I stopped taking the minipill yesterday. They say some women can get pregnant

  pretty quick after stopping. If it happens, I’ll just tell him it’s some kind of miracle. I can't keep waiting. At some point, it's not going to work anymore. I can't let that happen. My wants aren’t going to take a backseat to his career anymore. I stay at home with the kids. If I want another one, then by God I’m going to get another one.

  Jenny set the book down on her lap and looked at the framed photos on the nightstand. Oh, the secrets we keep from each other. This is getting good.

  January 22, 2015

  Things have actually been going better with Tony. It doesn't take a genius to know why though. He’s been getting sex. And a lot of it. Pretty much as often as he wants. I still have to deny it every once and a while, or he’d get suspicious. Still, he’s smiling a lot more. It’s crazy how just a little sex will
improve the relationship so much. He seems to be warming up to the idea of having another little one. I've backed off a bit on pressing him about when. I know, I know, why pester him when I've made the decision already? Baby, here I come.

  February 4, 2015

  Still no period, so I'm thinking good thoughts. I have to admit though, I hate having to sneak the pregnancy tests. I feel like an ashamed teenager hiding from my mom and dad. Honestly though, I probably don't even need to. I could leave it out on the counter, and he wouldn't notice it or even know what it is. Tony's so oblivious sometimes. He's back wrapped up in his work. I knew it wouldn't last. Even with all my efforts…

  I just don't understand him sometimes. He loves the kids. Loves them to death. Why wouldn't he want another baby? Who wouldn't want another baby, right? I can just see his face now. He'd be shocked at first, but his face would quickly bring about that smile I love so much. The idea of a little girl to help soften him up a bit. Bringing another baby into this world is so exciting. She's going to be perfect. This world is going to be so perfect for her.

  I can't get my hopes up though. I tend to do that with stuff I want. The test today was negative. I’ll try again in a few days. I bought several boxes, but I hope I don’t have to go through all of them. Hopefully, it happens quick. I'm sure Tony and the kids won't find them. Tony never goes in the kids' room, and our boys can't reach them.

  Bingo! Jenny slid from the bed and tiptoed across the room, mindful of any noise. Holding her ear steadily against the door, she listened, suppressing her anxious breaths. Nothing. No signs of life from the hallway or living area. Danny must have finally fallen asleep. Okay. Easing the door open, she stole a glimpse. Only darkness, barely any light coming from the front room. She crept to the kids’ bedroom. A low creak from the door. She flinched, then swiftly opened it, stepping inside and easing the door closed behind her. “Up high, hidden,” she reminded herself.